halversen

Exercise

2012-01-20T06:35:00.000-08:00

***warning: nature of this post could be considered a little too personal***

This morning as we were all getting ready for school Kyron had his hand down his pants. I didn't really think much of it as that's a normal behavior for little boys but he looked at me and said, "I have to put my hands down there because my penis is exercising." *loud laughs* so funny....all this time I just thought it was male involuntary morning erections...but nope, it's exercising!!!

Right Gift Exchange

2012-01-12T21:11:00.000-08:00

For a family gift exchange with grandma, she put Adley and I up to writing a story including left and right directions. Each person is given a gift. As the story is read when the word "right" is said you pass that gift to the person your right. When the word "left" is read you pass to your left. It made for a very fun time. Here is the story:

The Halversen's

It all started in November. Zach left his studies to try and find the right job, He left Tess at home but she was right with that.

Gayle and Stephen also left their home and headed right for AZ. Because they left first, they arrived right in time to get Zach from the airport. They were right there to help him.

Once they all left the airport there were lots of right turns they had to make to get to Chal’s house.

Zach left to several interviews in hopes that one would be the right place for him to work. Chal knows that those interviews would be the right place for him.

Thanksgiving soon followed. It was only right to eat as much food as possible. We left the table sad to have eaten so much. It all went right to our bellies.

We left to see a movie at just the right time. There were no lines to the right or to left. So we were left to walk right into the movie. I don’t know if Hugo was the right movie for the kids but it was right enough after we left for home. Thanksgiving left us all feeling very happy.

Josh and Amber then left their home and came right to Chal’s. Right away it was a good time to be with family. Josh left to buy a new Christmas tree. He headed south, meaning he made several left turns to get there. Right after he got back they left to go home.

Stephen and Zach left next. They headed right for Idaho as Zach is still trying to find the right job. We were sad they left.

But they left Grandma behind. This left Grandma with a huge chore. She left her normal busy life to look after Janeen right after her shoulder surgery on her right side.

While Gayle was at her right side, Jeni and Nisha were right there making sure nothing was left out of the house remodeling. They even mailed samples right to the house for grandma to choose from. Everyone was left with lots of chores.

Papa was right in the middle of all the changes as he left life upstairs and lived right in a little corner barely remaining while the men worked on the floor. They were the right men because they left a beautiful new floor.

Nisha and Jared left Draper and planned the right kind of holiday. Everyone has been right happy with all the activities and fun (except when everyone left to ski, I could only stay and write this left and right story J)

Cameron and Jeni left with Sam right by their side. There were right, Grandma and Papa loved the family quilt. And grandma was right about Sam’s monkey love. It left us all laughing and enjoying Christmas.

No one has left yet but we are all happy to be right here, at the right time with the right people in the right season.

Merry Christmas ~ enjoy what’s left of our time together.

Scooter

2012-01-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

We all love grandma's newest toy!

Reason for the Season

2012-01-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you Gayle! My absolute favorite Christmas gift!

I have wanted a beautiful picture of Christ in my home for a very long time. The problem has been that I haven't known which print I wanted so I haven't asked. This year though, it made the list. Still I didn't know which print I wanted. But Gayle pinned me down to pick one. I am so glad that she did. I have wanted one that was not typical and that didn't depict some strange facial expression. It was important to me to feel like He was merciful and gentle and kind and that it be portrayed in the print. I also wanted just a selection of Christ, not another thing with Him such as sheep, staff, old Jerusalem, children (don't get me wrong, I like those too this was in specific selection for display at a certain point in my home though)...I wanted just Jesus Christ. So after searching several familiar artists and just not finding something I love, we randomly passed this print. I can not stop smiling as I see this hanging on my wall. I so love it! This is by far, my favorite thing about this season.

Can't Catch Me

2012-01-09T19:11:00.000-08:00

...I'm the gingerbread man! The kidnergarten play this year was fabulous. It was fun to see Dax participate in the program. The kids are so darling and precious. I love it. Dax's line: "He knew he'd probably get eaten, so he hurried and ran away."...delivered flawlessly!

Resolve

2012-01-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

So often I wonder what I will be when I grow up. Really, I know. But I think about it a lot. I have a lot of fun ideas and desires. I was an accountant at one time in my life. It was good to me. I don't really enjoy being an accountant although I think I was fairly good at it...numbers are nice to me. But it was kind of boring and I don't really socialize well with the stereotypical accountant type. No offense, I always loved those I worked with. But it just isn't something I have ever really wanted to return to. I haven't wanted to enter into the world and work the books.

So I have created alternatives...maybe I could be a writer and tell some fascinating story that would grip any audience (Stephanie Meyers did a pretty bang up job at it and she had no experience), maybe I would become a karate instructor (I would have to take karate first myself though), maybe I would run an orphanage or something of the sort (I know they don't really have those anymore but maybe a group home or something), maybe I would run for office (oh, maybe not, I couldn't hold up against the criticism), maybe I would go back to school and be a doctor (I mean a PhD, not an MD, I don't like blood), maybe I would be a secret shopper or something (that way all I have to do is buy things with someone else's money), maybe a critic of some sort (I always like to pick things apart, sometimes in a good way, sometimes not), maybe I would be plane and normal but maybe is always something I am not. Right now, I am not any of those things.

Right now, I am a mom. I am resolved to only be a mom. I don't use the word only synonymous with 'just a mom'. I mean only a mom and focused and make that my better career. People have their annual reviews at their jobs. They set new expectations and decide if there is a raise warranted or not. I caught myself feeding Navy and daydreaming about other things. So my resolve this year is to be only a mom. Not taking away the other things that I am...wife, sister, friend, etc. My focus will be to improve, to notice more closely, to not be multi-tasking (not that I can do that very well to begin with), to be less chaotic and more of a mom, to be faithful in the duties of mommy. I want to listen better, understand better, support them better, blame them less, comfort them more, empathize better, sympathize to their level, teach them patiently, love them better. I want to be warranted for that pay raise next year, I want to earn that accomplishment and review this year knowing I was better.

On another resolution note, in addition to improving my mom skills, we have decided to start looking into foster care. We want to do more for those that have less. We don't know the details or if we'll even quality but we desire to help and love others. Hopefully the new year will bring us great blessings.

Dinner Party

2012-01-07T21:56:00.000-08:00

I love to dress up. It makes me feel all special and glamorous. So I was super excited when my dear friend invited us to a fantastic, fancy Christmas party. Ok, so it may have turned fancy due to some intermingling and pressure from the outside but I love how it turned out. She is an excellent party girl and it couldn't have been any better of a party. It was fabulous.

I was a little worried because I was only out of surgery 10 days when we had to be there but I wasn't going to miss this special night with our friends. We had to bring a nice gift for a couples' gift exchange. So Chal and I brought the nicest gift we could think of...a framed, autographed photo of us. It was perfect. We knew the recipient of that gift would forever cherish that little gem. Luckily, it was the host that managed to claim that sweet prize.

Even now, I am still laughing about that. Thanks dear friends for such a super and wonderful night. I really feel like you are family and that you enrich my life to levels I can't explain!

Chal and I decided to go with a 20's theme. The party wasn't themed that way but we felt the desire and ran with it. Chal wore his grandpa's old tuxedo and I made the skirt which was fun. And then my mother in law thought of adding the head piece, which was perfect! I love dates with my husband.

My Family History

2012-01-06T21:30:00.000-08:00

I love Adley's teacher this year. Have I said that before? Without knowing it we were inspired to select her as Adley's teacher. Afterward, we found out that she's an expert teacher for reading. She has been a God send for Adley and she has grown so much. She reads excitedly now and very well.

But what I really love about this teacher is that instead of having traditional parties for holidays, she has publishing parties where the children share a story they have created and written.

This last Halloween 'party' was about Family History. Each child learned about her own country and wrote a book about the details they found most interesting.Adley chose Sweden. I love seeing this girl published!

Ward Party

2012-01-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

As always:

super fun time
yummy food that I didn't make
games
friends
laughter
gift exchange
Nativity
Primary Christmas songs
Youth skits
Santa

Every year Santa is there for this great photo opt. I completely forgot about that and we showed up in our 'street' clothes. It had been a long and busy day with many errands and no time to coordinate a photo with any style. So, we got this photo (scanned in, thus the blur)...and I still love it!

Sink Time Out

2012-01-05T21:08:00.000-08:00

Everyone has done it. Whatever you can do to keep the kid happy while you get the dishes done.

I am Going There Someday

2012-01-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

I love the Mesa Temple lights. It's always so much fun to enjoy time on the temple grounds and to especially see it all lit for Christ's birth. The nativity and the grander of lights excite me for Christmas. This year we managed to get there in time to experience a live concert next to the Christus. We had front row seats. It was great. Even with the random potty breaks in the middle of the songs and the need to walk through the entire crowd so that we could regain those seats.
We managed to only get one decent photo and the new missionary managed to leave Navy out of the picture completely. Hhhm. But, he was focused on the temple...so that's nice.

Random Fun

2012-01-04T20:52:00.000-08:00

Looking at these makes me laugh. I love these little people in my life.

Tradition

2012-01-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

sung out loud with hands raised in the air with full vibrato...TRADITION, straight from Tivia of Fiddler with the Roof. That is the sound I frequently hear at my house. It doesn't matter the text of the conversation if the word tradition is used, within a moment the tune is belted out with gusto. Despite it's potential embarrassment I usually always expect that response and enjoy that brief happiness.

This holiday, especially, we have heard that sweet sound numerous times. It helps that a father and brother have joined us and also enjoy this same expression of music. We have enveloped new patterns of celebrating this year, all that I am super please were successful and wonderful and bring me great joy.

First, at the recommendation of Chal's brother, we decided to have dessert Thanksgiving Eve. Each feast is full of over-eating and gorging on amazing Thanksgiving food leaving only little room for the scrumptious dessert. So, invite friends and family over the night before and start the gorging early on the dessert assortments. Of course, it was the standard, traditional Thanksgiving delights....apple pie and pumpkin treats with cinnamon and sugar crusts for the kids. It was so delightful. I loved eating the desserts hot and fresh out of the oven rather than a day old. Although, I didn't mind one bit eating them again the next day. Maybe I even enjoyed them more because of remembering the joy it brought the night before. A new amazing tradition started the night before.

Second, as with many traditions, revolved around food. I wanted to have a big breakfast Thanksgiving morning and a later afternoon lunch. So, I found a recipe that I really wanted to try and what better time to try it out as a new tradition...pumpkin pancakes with warm cinnamon syrup. Can you say YUM! They were fabulous and I will eat them every year from now on...in fact, I could eat some more right now.

Third, we included family activities before the turkey. We decided to have a family bike ride. I found an awesome bike trailer on craigslist for a great deal and so Navy can join in the route. Mind you with only one adult bike I don't think we can call this an all inclusive family activity but it was close enough. Since the kids are just learning to ride bikes and much adult supervision was needed that morning. It was spectacular to be physically active with them. I am such a physical person, it brings me join to share that with the kids. Being outside and laughing with each other created great bonds with each of us. The kids were playing better together, I was more excited about just being. It was great for my heart, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Fourth, we decided to head to the movies. We have done this before in the past. Nothing consistent. I used to work at a theatre in high school and that was when I learned how popular it was to go to a movie Thanksgiving afternoon. I talked with a friend and she mentioned that it was her family tradition. And so, of course, since we like the movies why not add that to the list of adventures. Yeah, it was fun. It worked out nicely and it made it's way onto the list of traditions we want to maintain for this holiday each year.

And fifth, letters of gratitude. My sister thought of writing gratitude letters at Thanksgiving. So, naturally, I had to steal that idea. I think this is and will become and most cherished tradition we established this year. Both Chal and I, independent of each other, write a letter to each child expressing our gratitude specifically for them and our great love for them. We sat down as a family and each took turns reading those letters to each child and exchanged tender moments of love and care. It was a rewarding experience for them and us and allowed us to express in deeper meanings how much they are each valued and special to this family. I will save these letters for them and add to their collection each year providing for them a beautiful keepsake to cherish forever and a beautiful reminder of their greatness. I love them so dearly and I am grateful for the intimate reminder

I can not find the words to express the amount of joy, peace and happiness I have experienced this year. Maybe it's the fact that I know in a few weeks all this activity will come to a screeching halt and I need to soak up as much as I can. Maybe it's the fact that Thanksgiving was at my house in the comforts of my own home atmosphere. Maybe it's the fact that we got new bikes, it rained and the outdoor entertainment level was higher which I love. Maybe it could be a lot of things. But mostly I believe it's because I counted my blessings and engulfed myself into new traditions that promote and hopefully invite gratitude that also invites true pure joy and happiness. A blessing that only can come from Heavenly Father, a blessing of love. Happy Thanksgiving.

Endearing

2012-01-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

This moment with Papa was especially sweet and tender. I love how he took special care to not pull or hurt her hair. Such a gentle and loving man.

Painful Sweet Love

2011-11-27T20:23:00.000-08:00

Adley biffed on her bike. That happens a lot but this was huge. Her hip was scraped up, her chin swollen and scratched, her knee covered in asphalt, her elbow bleeding beneath a layer of dirt, a sob that she couldn't control and pain that wouldn't subside as I had to scrub and clean away her ouches. It was a terribly sad moment at our house, moments of cuts and scrapes are horrible for me to participate in...as seeing your baby so damaged and hurt.

But we made it though all the cleaning and bandaging. She was going to be fine (as they usually are) and we sat to start reading a book together to distract ourselves from the pains of the recent fall. Chal came in to help monitor the situation. He relayed the amount of love Kyron has for her. After the fall and we went into the house, Kyron sat on the sidewalk with his hands to his face, saying 'Oh no, poor Adley. I hope she is okay.' He held a face of great discern and worry for her sake. So sweet.

The sweet love continued when grandma told Adley she was going to go in the other room and say a prayer to help her. As she walked away to say the prayer, Dax knelt down next to the chair we were sitting in, folded his arms, closed his eyes and started whispering a prayer. A sweet innocent prayer, more reverent than I have ever seen. We couldn't understand his words but he was sincerely talking to Heavenly Father in Adley's behalf.

He quickly got up from the prayer and ran to grandma to see how her prayer went and he announced that he prayed that Santa would still come and see Adley...I know he talked to Heavenly Father about more than Santa Claus, but even if that were all he asked for, my heart melts at how much he cares for that sister of his and how special it is that he knows God is the greatestvsource of comfort for himself and others.

Again...

2011-11-25T20:08:00.001-08:00

...thank you, sweet, wonderful, generous, thoughtful, anonymous friend. thank you, again. If I haven't expressed it before, I dearly love you!

Tender Mercy

2011-11-20T13:33:00.001-08:00

The past few weeks/months have been filled with stress, heartache and worryas we have been making lots of tough decisions. Some we wanted to make andothers we didn't. I have been overwhelmed and troubled. This week in particularseemed to have brought an extra dose of those stresses. My live has been morechaotic than normal and extremely less organized...both wreak havoc on my OCDtendencies.

With surgery scheduled in just ten days, it's required a lot of forwardplanning and increased organization to help things run more smoothly when I amdown to only one arm. To have Christmas planned and prepared, to have schooland life lined up for the kids, to have my family somewhat equipped to handlelife with a crippled mother…has all been a little more than I can handle. Or soit feels. And to find resources to match all the needs has been excessivelyoverwhelming for me.

While I have friends and family that have offered and extended greatsacrifices to help, I still have felt the mountains of uncertainties associatedwith all the immense changes we have been faced with. However, this week, oneless worry found an unexpected answer, certainly a tender mercy from a lovingGod.

A gift came in the mail this week…an unmarked gift completely anonymous withno available trace to the source. A gift that has answered prayers and extremelylightened some of those concerns and worries for me and my family. I am notsure what prompted such a gift and how you knew exactly what it was that wasneeded but I am forever grateful for the person (hopefully you read my blog)that listened to the Holy Spirit prompt you to think of us and so selflesslygive to my family. I prayer that you, too, will receive great blessings foryour exuberant service, thoughtfulness and love. You are definitely on the Lord’serrand. Thank you. My heart if full.

Trick or Treat

2011-10-31T21:36:00.000-07:00

Adley: Ballerina Pumpkin

Dax: Seminary Teacher (the responses to him were hilarious!)

Kyron: Captain Hook

Trunk or Treat

2011-10-31T21:32:00.000-07:00

Adley: Ballerina Pumpkin
Dax: Pirate
Kyron: Captain Hook
Navy: Skeleton
Mom & Dad: Eighties Survivors

Kindergarten Book Parade

2011-10-31T20:55:00.000-07:00

Pre-School Parade

2011-10-31T20:44:00.000-07:00

Publishing Party

2011-10-31T20:39:00.001-07:00

Adley's most recent writing adventure...

Chores

2011-10-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

We have made lots of adjustments at our house lately. I am not sure why I undertake so many new things all at once. Probably to help distract my mind from the stress of all that's happening to us.
But this time it's all been very good changes and motivations.

We started a chore chart with assigned daily and weekly chores, different for each child. An allowance is now given and a 'bad choice' mark (they can only get 7 marks per week to stay safe) that could strip them of that reward. Each child gets their own chart and color choice. Each week I print a new one and we expect them to achieve each thing without much reminder from us.

I have to say it's working very well. I have been very impressed with these little guys. I never knew Dax could be so motivated to work so hard. He's taken his jobs seriously and does a fantastic job of it. In fact, he's even excited about it. And I rarely have to remind him to get it done. He yelled to me the other day while doing one chore, "Mom, I am being very neat and organized." Seriously? He knows me! Although, last night as he was putting away the dishes he managed to build a 2 foot high tower complete with a large glass mixing bowl on top of several small plastic kids cups...it was very commendable, but very unstable. This is testing my skills of allowing children to learn even if it has to be the hard way. *smiles*

Adley always wants to excel so she also is motivated and excited. She plans out her week carefully as it coincides with other activities and decided which day will be best to complete the weekly chores. She does such a fantastic job of remembering and taking pride in her work. She said to me, "Mom, I cleaned the bathroom so perfectly! You're gonna love it!" Yep, I did. I love how much more valuable they feel. I was helping her fold the laundry and she thanked me but said, I will finish this mom, you don't have to worry about it. Remarkable.

Kyron, doesn't quite get it but still makes great efforts to do the chores he's asked. I am loving it! He proudly comes out each morning and says he made is "wed". He'll soon be the window washer but right now he just is the window messer!

They are so much more behaved and one small threat of that check mark immediate snaps them into nice. Ah, added peace.

Last night, as we were all working on our separate chores together, I felt that wonderful happy sting. Everyone was helping, we were chatting about all kinds of things, we were being productive, we were enjoying the time, there was no tv blaring, no kids bickering and it was just happy. I love working with my kids. My heart was full. I love those sweet tender moments of gratitude and love.

So along with this new found income we have started savings accounts for them. I have been impressed with how they want to 'manage' their money. We force certain amounts of savings and they get to spend the rest how they would like. 10 % is tithed, 20 % is saved and the rest is free to do as they please. Although, they haven't completely figured out the spending part. They'll learn about that at Christmas when they have to buy gifts for each other. Maybe they'll stop telling me we have the money for all kinds of things when they realize how fast their money really goes too. I love their supportive nature.

Adley wanted a slush from QT the other day and so we planned to go. She sat there in anticipation of getting there and then asked if she could buy one for each of the boys too, knowing they didn't have as much money as her. That little girl is so very thoughtful and loving. She's such a great care taker. Despite her pleas for a new sister for Christmas she really does love these boys.

On another note...now that all the chores are being done by small people, I find myself with less stress, a cleaner house (always a nice perk), and even a little boredom when I would normally be doing those chores. I wish I had thought of this earlier!

Duty

2011-10-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Chal taught the kids about duty last night. How there are certain things that are our duty to take care of. It was interesting to listen to the kids try to also teach each other about this new understanding. As usually, it was also full of bickering. Adley said it was like a chore, Dax said no it's not and then ensued a battle of wills to see who could argue the strongest. Why must this always happen?

Anyway, we clarified it and all was well. They understood what a duty was and their expectation from it.

This morning...Dax starts telling knock, knock jokes. Never a terribly fun adventure with him to exchange knock, knock jokes. But as you have probably already guessed...'duty' was at the door each time. And in true little boy fashion...'duty' was in the bathroom and on the toilet and as the laughter started 'duty' had all kinds of reasons to come knocking.

Oh, how I want some more estrogen in this house!

The Family

2011-10-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

The Parents

2011-10-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

The Kids

2011-10-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Adley

2011-10-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Dax

2011-10-19T11:24:00.000-07:00

Kyron

2011-10-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Navy

2011-10-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Rio

2011-10-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

All things are based on reading and books. Especially Halloween time. So pumpkins have to be decorated like a book character. Granted, Rio, started as a movie but I know there are books out there since Rio was released. The kids came up with the idea and we ran with it. I love how it turned out and I love how creative these small people are that I get to live with!

Failture to Thrive

2011-10-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

I guess I should explain myself. I haven't talked freely about it. It's not the most entertaining and or welcoming conversation topic. "Oh by the way, we're loosing our house next month..." Besides, we haven't known ourselves exactly what we wanted or could do. Chal and I have been talking about it for a while now. It started with the desire to find a larger home at these amazing 'discounted' rates right now and progress toward that direction.

Upon investigation of our current situation and the market's stipulations and with some of Dave Ramsey's influence (thanks friend for the referral), we quickly realized that this is not an option for us. We wouldn't qualify nor would we want to once we learned how the 'systems' are functioning right now.

We had hoped for other options...re-modifications, trying to cut in other areas only to have those areas decide to demand higher payments, money trees to bloom and never die and maybe even for pigs to fly. None have shown to be working. We have taken the plunge and decided that selling is really the only option we have left. One we are sorely disappointed with.

We currently entered into a contract to sell to an investor and lease back...all this stipulates any arms length addendum from our lender but it looks very positive that we get to actually stay in our home. It will no longer be mine, but I will still get to live here.

Tough Guys

2011-10-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

These kids make me laugh.This was the 'serious' pose.

Halloween Nights

2011-10-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

I love getting packages in the mail. I especially love unexpected packages in the mail. And I really like unexpected packages in the mail for my kids. So stinkin' cute! Thanks Grandma. I love that you are always thinking of us and make holidays special for my children. They (and I) love the excitement you bring.

Fall Carnival

2011-10-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

My least favorite school event. The kids most favorite school event. This really is a fun event for the school. They always have a great turn out and the kids have a blast. But it's like waiting in line at an amusement part to ride the latest and greatest bounce house inventions. 30 minutes for 2 minutes of mild excitement....ok, great excitement for the kids though. And there are hundreds of people and 3 small kids that all want to do something different at the exact same time. We go. It's adventurous. The school prospers. This kids have crazy hair. And bounce houses are loved. And we're done for the year.

KYRON:

ADLEY:

DAX:

TRAIN ENDING:

Snowflake

2011-10-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

I am a city girl by every definition of the word. But it sure is wonderful to slow down a little bit and take a quiet evening stroll among the 'man-made natural' parts of the world. Snowflake is beautiful right now and I am sure am glad that I got to experience it this week. Memorable days at granny's!

Just Because

2011-10-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

I can not get over how big this kid is getting!

Off, Not On

2011-10-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

Tonight Chal was getting water for the kids. The water was not cold. In fact, neither was the cheese, or the milk, or the ketchup, or the mustard. Nothing was cold. There was a water trail on the floor, thought to be created by the little people we live with. Then upon inspection, the freezer was also not cold.

Defrosted meat, melted ice, bread ready to eat, all definitely not frozen.

Solutions start running...call the neighbors to use their fridge, put the freezer food out in the deep freeze, call the warranty people to get service. Right, because at 7pm on a Friday night they are gonna be right here to help us. But, none the less, service was scheduled at some future undetermined time when they would call and confirm with us.

Then, I went into the kitchen. Take a look around. And turned ON the refrigerator. Funny that the OFF button makes all those bad things happen to cold products.

Four little people and no identifying culprit.

My House

2011-10-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

The things I love about my house:

it's my first home with Chal
I have raised my family here
all the work we've done to make it our own
the permanent grass in the back
it's a great little neighborhood
the upgraded fixtures we added
it's comfortable and cozy
the backyard (when it's clean even though small)
the strange bright yellow and blue garage walls
the office/play room
it backs up to a green belt
the awesome space
every wall I have painted
the amazing carpet
the custom stuff everywhere...cabinets mostly

The things I hate about my house:

the lack of storage space, and
in a few months, it'll no longer be mine.

Camera Hijacked

2011-09-29T20:06:00.000-07:00

I left my camera out. Never a good idea at my house. But lately lots of 'accidents' are happening. There were an additional 78 photos on my camera. So here's a few of my favorite 'caught-in-the-act' shots followed by my not so favorite shot. They think they are so sneaky but I always seem to know who did it!

****Just for the record this was also done with the babysitter here...not me. I am not responsible for the middle of the room crying fit...this time at least! *winks*

Old Dog = New Trick

2011-09-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

Seriously Funny

2011-09-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Go watch all 6 episodes. They make me laugh. Out loud.

Reception Exhaustion

2011-09-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

Random Summer Photos

2011-09-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

Blue Grass Band

2011-09-15T22:19:00.000-07:00

Live music in Paragonah, UT! I don't know what I expected when we planned on going to this venue but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I really enjoyed it. I am sure there was a generation gap in the audience and we represented the only 'youth' but I thoroughly enjoyed some thigh clapping blue grass band music along with some cowboy poetry!

Nine Years

2011-09-15T22:16:00.000-07:00

Chal and I celebrated our 9th anniversary in different states this year. We didn't plan our vacation well in that ability to celebrate together. But I was not forgotten. I was so happily surprise to greet these at the door. I love special treats like that. Unexpected and beautiful.
Next year, for number 10, we plan to be together!

St. George Temple

2011-09-15T22:12:00.000-07:00

I love to see the temple. So do my kids. I love them to see the temple.

Yankee Meadows

2011-09-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

Tucked into the valley behind Paragonah is Yankee Meadows. A 20 minute drive to a little bit of Heaven!

Pioneer Trek

2011-09-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

Pioneer Day in Paragonah: mini-trek, scones, games, luncheon, crafts, family!

Paragonah Summer

2011-09-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

I don't think I have ever been more connected to peace than this summer in a little southern Utah town with no stop signs, not a single store and the most amazing support system. We spent 3 weeks this summer in Paragonah, half the time with Chal and half the time without. I still have great urges to be back there. I am not traditionally a small town girl. I like the convenience and entertainment of larger city. But something about about this summer was remarkable and incredible.
Things about me were different. I am sure that the ratio of 3 adults to 4 children truly helped. Having someone else to 'take care of me' and my kids. To find ease in the simple life and joy in the slowness was comforting. Of course, a big reason to achieve such solitude would be that I left all my stress at home on the work table and none of it was rearing it's ugly head at me waiting for my efforts to take care of it. There was no calling, no bills to pay, no schedule to maintain and no house of mine to keep organized in its entirety. I was on vacation with my kids and it was peaceful.
I was able to have some very meaningful and uplifting chats that have really helped me with some struggles. I was able to make a few crafty projects that helped me remember my talents. I was able to see some of the most beautiful landscapes God has created and bask in them. I was able to walk outside without sweating from head to toe every single day and enjoy the outdoors. I was able to fall in love a little bit more with each of my kids specifically. I was able to eat dinner outside and laugh over our meals. I was able to sleep in a tent and actually see the stars of the universe. I was able volunteer to teach a class at church and enjoy everything about preparing for and presenting it. I was able to truly relax and enjoy myself. This summer improved my life greatly, I am changed for the better because of it.
I love Paragonah, UT and I am so grateful to wonderful family that welcome us and took such great care of me and my soul. It was a very special summer, one to always remember. And hopefully to include more in the future.

Stolen Notes

2011-09-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Because I want to remember and I didn't take my own notes, I copied my friends notes...thank you!

Elder David A Bednar Visits

Elder Bednar and Elder Alanzo came to visit our stake to reorganize our stake presidency. The Saturday adult session and the Sunday session were absolutely amazing and eye opening. There was no fluff, there was no beating around the bush, there was no sugar coating. It was direct and deliberate and filled with the spirit. It was amazing to be able to get direct counsel from an apostle of the Lord. We were told to come with our questions in our minds and hearts and to prepare spiritually the entire week.

I am so excited for all the knowledge that I gained by listening to Elder Bednar. I want to go and do and find more answers. He mentioned that he wanted to give us enough information to stir our hearts and minds so that we could go learn for ourself as Joseph Smith did. That is the only way you will gain a testimony of it. Here is a loose relaying of my notes.

-We are too caught up in our spiritual check lists of what we have to do. Every once in a while someone has a great idea and then we have 5 more things to add on to the checklist. Don't get caught up in the check list and miss the mark entirely. Go and do. Live the gospel in it's entirety. Do what is spiritually essential not just what is nice.

-Praying for those who are not here today and that they will join us next Sunday is a faithless prayer. Don't expect the Lord to do the work for you. Get up and do it. Don't run statistics about it or talk about it, just go visit those who aren't there. Just pray for inspiration that you don't all go to the same house.

-There was one plan, Heavenly Father's plan. There was not 2 plans presented (Jesus Christ and Satan) although often mentioned. There was one. Satan did not present his own plan he chose to rebel against Heavenly Father's plan.

-Agency is the most misunderstood principle. It is not a choice. It is the power to act and not be acted upon. When we are baptized by proper authority we receive the family name. We take upon ourselves the name of Christ. That is our contract. It is not about you and your choice anymore, it's about Heavenly Father. If you break your contract you break your covenant. God will not be mocked. When you can't sleep at night look up covenant breakers in your scriptures. Then you really won't be able to sleep.

-Through gentleness, persuasion, meekness and an invitation we can help our children chose. Don't force or command your children but let them know when agency can be used.

-Too many members of the church say "we are going to let our son chose if he wants to come to church" or "he doesn't feel like_________so we are giving him his choice. The only choice should be whether he walks to church or drives to church.

-Each covenant is a progressive step about His will and what He wants. You are binding yourself to what he wants as you make these covenants.

-Power of Godliness is the atonement
1 Nephi 8:
Tree = representation of Christ
Fruit = atonement
Straight gate = baptism
Narrow way = temple ordinance

-Use agency to act in total accordance with God and Christ.

-When Joseph smith returned home after having the First Vision, his mother was home.....there is a lesson to be learned in that....(long pause without speaking).

-Joseph has the vision, Joseph goes home, Mom is home, Mom knows son well enough to notice difference, asks Joseph, Joseph responds "I have learned for myself." We must learn for ourselves.

-The Lord will bless you according to your desire and diligence to learn for yourself.

-We are in the storm right now, it will only get worse. Every time Satan tries to bring the church down, the church rises more. Because of the Broadway production "Book of Mormon", lds.org has had more hits than ever before. People are researching the Book of Mormon on their own and the missionaries are finding them.

-The Lord has prepared and chosen the new stake president already. We just came to find out who the Lord has picked. We are not choosing him.

-Spirit of revelation can work in 2 ways. Immediate like a light switch in a dark room or gradual like the rising of the sun till it is in complete light.

-It is only going to get worse. No worries.

-Every member of the church has a testimony, but not every member of the church is converted. Being converted is being consistently true to what we know.

-If all you have is a testimony...I'm not sure it will be enough to save you. Testimony leads to continuing conversion. It takes a testimony AND conversion to never fall away. Alma 23:5

-If you don't home teach, if you don't visit teach, you are not converted. You are not being true to your testimony and what you know if you are not home teaching and visit teaching.

-You can have a testimony of men, women, programs, people, and not be converted. Those people fall away when their feelings are hurt or programs change.

-It is NOT enough to know the church is true and that God lives. Even the devils knows it is true. You have to be converted (act).

-When thou art converted strengthen thy brotheren.

-Listen to what your priesthood leaders are telling you. They are not filling the time. Your bishop and stake president are not giving you "good talks" they are giving you revelation which they have received. When your Bishop or Stake president talks you need to sit up and listen. They hold the keys for you to be safeguarded and protected in darkness and confusion. If you don't, I rebuke you.

-One other thing he talked about was weapons of rebellion. It is in Alma 23 too. He talked about whatever ways we are fighting God or our brothers/sisters we need to let go of to be fully converted as well.

-And one other thing he said that I loved was God won't send angels to do the things we are supposed to be doing...the priesthood (and us) are those angels...yikes! He's so forward...I love it!

Michelle Visit

2011-09-14T09:41:00.000-07:00

I love, love, love my friend Michelle. She and I were truly meant to be friends. Unfortunately, I am not the best at keeping in touch long distance (she lives in Boston) so I am especially thrilled when I get a chance to see her. And it's never enough time with her no matter how long the visit.

Julie's Swim Meet

2011-09-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to get Adley interested in a sport other than dance. Failure once again. She loves it. I guess we have a determined ballerina. This year's attempt at persuasion was swim team. Chal's cousin came into town to swim the US Masters swim meet. She's amazing and did a fabulous job!
We got to watch her swim and the kids loved it but no one wanted to join swim team afterward. But it was great time supporting Julie and having her in our home for a weekend. I kind of wanted to join swim team!

Julie is very special to us and it was fun to have her. Luckily it was also the weekend we blessed Navy.

Heber 4th of July

2011-09-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

Annual tradition: Heber, AZ I've seen a lot of great fireworks shows but Heber is always my favorite. It's long and spectacular.
This year: cancelled, fire hazards.
Compensation: great friends with access to a cabin including us in their weekend full of beauty, parade, rodeo (with fireworks) in a neighboring town, games and great conversations.
SO.MUCH.FUN.

Navy Drey Halversen’s Baby Blessing

2011-09-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

I really love Navy's name. I love baby blessings. I think they are so vital. Our names are so very important and have so much value in our life and in our faith and in our eternity. A name gets recorded in a baby blessing. A name gets placed in the membership of Jesus Christ's fold, in His gospel. It's a special day when you reach earth and have a moment in prayer through the Priesthood to reach back into heaven and say to Christ...I made it into your family. I am here, I am safe and this family has me prepared for your service. Navy joined in that great membership...he was given a name on Heavenly Father's roster and I am happy to have the Melchizedek Priesthood take care of that sweet and special day through Chal, a loving, faithful father to help direct Navy's life with Christ. I am rejoicing.

Our dear Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ and by the holy Melchizedek Priesthood we come together to give this baby a name and a blessing. The name in which you will be known and which will be upon the records of the church is Navy Drey Halversen.

Navy at this time we bless you and give you a blessing. We bless you, Navy, that as you come forth in the last days at this particularly hard time but in a great, great blessed time that you may first and foremost learn to love and learn to know Jesus Christ; and that through Him you may know is your Father in Heaven.

We bless you that you will be able to discern the spirit as you come of age and have experiences that you will be disposed to making the right choice because you love the Savior, I pray that you may always feel His love for you and that as you learn and grow that the atonement can be something that is very important to you; bless you that you may always seek Christ through that atonement.
Navy, we bless you at this time that as you may hit the mile markers in your life. As you hit the age of eight and you’ve learned of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation that you will desire to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; that you may qualify for the blessings of heaven.

Navy, we bless you that as you progress that you may as you hit the other mile marker of the age of twelve and desire to hold the holy priesthood that you will not only desire to hold it but that you will desire to keep and know your duty; that not only will you be one who is called but you will be one chosen; that you choose to bless and strengthen the lives of those who you come in contact with; that they may know the Savior because they know you. And that as a disciple of Christ you will be able to bear witness of Him in all places and in all times.

Navy, we bless you at the other mile markers as you turn eighteen to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and always have the desire to serve God and do that which is right; that you will desire to serve a mission and be able to faithfully serve and give of your life to the Lord; bless you that you will desire to serve Him in the holy temple and receive the greatest blessings that come in receiving those blessings and covenants and that you may also desire and have the opportunity to kneel across the alter from a righteous, worthy young lady that you yourself have been righteous and are worthy. And that even from the beginning stages of life now, we bless you that your marriage and your eternal family and your wife will be important to you as you grow and progress; that, Navy, you may be able to receive the blessings and that the Holy Ghost will always be important you, in your home now and in your home then.

We bless you with health and strength; bless you with the desire to have a physical strength and a mental strength and a spiritual strength most importantly and that you may bless others and be of service in those strengths to others. Navy, we bless you with these things and we do it in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Serious Blog Updates

2011-09-01T21:23:00.000-07:00

As you can tell I am catching up on my blog. I have been seriously neglecting it this year...with good reason. I was sleeping on the couch pregnant. But I have lots of things to report. So in order to keep things in chronological order (since I print this as my journal and scrapbook each year), I back posted several posts. Most of these are just event or travelogues but if you're interested here's the direct links to those posts. All are photo over loads! *laughs*
Birthdays 2011
     Adley
     Dax
     Kyron (was actually done in a timely manner!)
Easter 2011
     Easter Egg Hunt
     Afterward
Christmas 2010
     Polar Express
     Paragonah Ward Nativity
     Santa in Paragonah
     Horseback Riding
     Sledding
     Snowday
     Letters to Santa
     Family Nativity
     Birthday Party/Nativity
     Christmas Day Highlights
     Random Holiday Photos
Birthmother Letter 2010
Christmas Letter 2010
Birthdays 2010
     At home
     At Grandma's
Adley's school report from kindergarten
Adley's Cinderella Dance Recital

Random

2011-09-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

I read these the other day and enjoyed them:

Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience you are raising a human being.
__________________________________________________________________

Back to School 2011

2011-09-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Adley: 2nd Grade, Ms. Gaynor
Dax: Kindergarten, Mrs. Taylor
Kyron: Preschool, Ms. Linda

The past few years I have eagerly awaited the time when school would start. When I would have a regular routine (mostly), when I would have time to think, when I would be able to do something potentially productive, when I could be void of noise, when I could have some quiet time. This year...I am heart broken. Maybe it's the fact that I am sending more than just one child to school but mostly I think it's because I want the noise, the irregular routines, no projects to think about and my kids all at home! I miss them. I had such a great little love affair with them this summer. I really want them home...with me.

But, my wants aside....they sure were excited to start a new year of school. I failed to get Kyron's first day...his day was a little more complicated with the bus and keeping him excited about wanting to go.

This year has started off a little rocky. Adley interpreted a first days' discussion with the teacher as her getting in trouble (she didn't really get in trouble though). Therefore, she did not want to go back. Her stomach hurt her so badly she couldn't eat breakfast for over a week. She's a little worrier and carries stress in her belly. Poor girl. I think finally a month into school we're on a better track with her.

Dax, though, is having serious mommy withdrawals. Secretly, I am very happy about this. But I had to force him into the car because he didn't want to go. He was 'bored and didn't get to do what he wanted'. Those darn rules at school. I am happy to also report that this too has decreased and he seems more adjusted. Sadly.

Kyron thinks his teacher is mean and 'kicks him in the eyes'. Not true. But he must not really like the rules there. Although, the teacher says he always has fun and warms up quickly. So I don't know why the depth of disdain for school but he too was miserable going back. Again, a month later and all seems well in the school attendance. He looks forward to the bus now which definitely makes happier days for him.

Why can't I just keep them small forever? I miss them. I want them home.

Welcome...

2011-08-31T22:21:00.000-07:00

I just can't get enough of this kid! These are from 5 days old. Way over due!
Thanks so much to my sister in law, Amber, at Halversen Photography!!! They are amazing!

A Few More Comparisons

2011-08-31T22:11:00.000-07:00

Just because it was fun for me. Both are of me, obviously...

Spiritual Anger

2011-08-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

I was putting the boys to bed. Not that customary at our house. Lately (about the past 18 months) that's been Chal's work. He puts the boys down, then he puts Adley down. Why am I not involved? Good question. It started when I got pregnant, it was too difficult for me and somehow I haven't started back up again.

Anyway, this night I was actually doing it. Chal was putting Adley down at the same time. I heard Adley getting her fury going and wondered what was going on. It's not that uncommon for her fury to act out when it's bed time. She gets tired and cranky easy...just like her mother.

Apparently, Chal got enough upset with her that he needed to leave the room. Good thinking...those things escalate very easily.

So, I hurry up with the boys to offer some relief to Chal. As I came around the corner I heard Adley scream in the most powerfully hateful angry voice she can muster up,
"DAD, GET IN HERE RIGHT NOW AND SAY PRAYERS WITH ME..RIGHT NOW!!"
________________________________________________________

Dax was totally acting out at church. He was screaming and yelling and being totally disrespectful to me, to Chal and to the speaker. I don't remember what had him so upset but I had to literally pick him up, manhandle him and drag him into the foyer. There he felt more comfortable to scream even louder. Finally, after a WWF wresting match with him I had him sitting in my lap clinched down with all my might.
And in a fight to break loose he screamed at me,
"I DON'T LIKE IT OUT HERE, I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT JESUS!!!"

Comparisons

2011-08-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

You decide??

Six Month Measurements

2011-08-29T21:14:00.000-07:00

Navy now:
19 lbs 3 oz
27 inches
Too fast!

Playing Hard

2011-07-19T12:11:00.001-07:00

Rarely do I find Adley zonked out...she wouldn't move!

Thumbelina

2011-06-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Adley's dance class each year does a major production. So when you go to the recital you actually see a play not just each class perform. It's so amazing how it all comes together. All the practices and dress rehearsal get annoying but the end result is so incredible. I am so proud that Adley would work so hard to be a part of Thumbelina. She was one of the fairies and she was remarkable!

She's always so excited to wear make up...especially mascara and my lipstick.

While we were waiting for the show to start a sweet lady sat next to us with her 3 year old granddaughter. We visited some and enjoyed them. Adley especially took to the little girl and played with her and helped her with her interest in Navy. Adley is such the mother hen. Adley gave up her seat to share with this little girl, Charlotte. They were friends now and Adley was going to watch out for her. Their interaction was gentle and loving. While they were playing the grandmother went out and bought Adley roses just for being kind to Charlotte. What a sweet and thoughtful woman.

Kindness matters!

4 Month Measurements

2011-06-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

Navy now:
17 lbs 11 oz
25.5 inches long

In less than 2 months, he's gained 3 pounds and grown 1.5 inches!

Wardrobe Malfunction

2011-06-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

***Warning: likely to be way too much information***

I can be pretty competitive but really there are some departments that I really don't know why I have to continually out do myself! Remember this story where my neighbor walked in on me without a shirt. At least she was a she.

Today a friend that I haven't seen in forever came to the pool with me. It was a fun time. It was chaos and crazy but so great to be with her and her kids.

Navy was a sleep most of the time. So it was nice to be free to swim with everyone and chat with my friend. But as with all naps they don't last forever. And he started stirring. I announced that we would be going soon but Adley quickly reminded me that we hadn’t raced yet.

We’ve been trying to give Adley confidence in swimming the long length of the pool. She’s scared of the 5 foot area in the middle. So we decided to start challenging her to a race where she gets an ‘x’ amount of seconds lead before we follow. Obviously no matter what number she chooses, it happens to always end when she hits the middle of the pool. I mean really we need to have some kind of a chance to make it a real race. Anyway, we made a deal that each time we came to the pool she would get to race us.

So in a mad dash to get out of the pool area with minimal argument I jump in the pool and we race. This time there were 3 of us though…me, Adley and her sweet friend. I was sure to lose for sure. But I am ok with that. This is not where my competitive edge comes in to play.

We raced, the count was 13 and right when they hit the middle of the pool I darted. I was swimming hard. (Mind you, I am not a good swimmer to begin with but I was in a hurry…remember Navy is now waking) I lost. No surprise. But Adley and her friend weren’t sure which of them came in first. So only naturally there needs to be another race to settle the debate.

As soon as I was telling them it was time to go, Dax runs up and screams about having to go to the potty. And yet another past story reminds me to listen and move quickly to the restrooms. In the mean time Navy is getting more and more restless and annoyed with lack of immediate feeding. He can be really demanding that way! *laughs*

But Adley is standing at the end of the pool patiently waiting for the do over and I can’t leave her hanging for a 30-45 second race. So again I get in the pool and we start the race with the 13 count head start. I am feeling the pressure and rush of trying to get home quickly so I raced especially hard this time. I actually won but Adley was sure she did, so why ruin it for her.

But I got up out the pool, turned to Adley told her to get out and ready, walked about 3-4 steps toward the pool exit and looked down to realize that in my warp speed swimming my swimsuit had lost its coverage and I was completely exposed…and I mean completely. And wouldn’t you know it, just before those races no one was there but surely when I will have a wardrobe malfunction it’s going to be when a man is sitting there sunbathing right at the finish line.

Mortified!

Navy Talk

2011-06-09T17:03:00.001-07:00

Joyful! All day long....I love it!

For the Babysitter

2011-06-09T16:53:00.001-07:00

Dax's Birthday 2011

2011-05-26T21:28:00.000-07:00

Small. Sweet. Perfect. Magic.

Adley's Birthday 2011

2011-05-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

Small but successful birthday! Adley was definitely the big winner!

Dax's Graduation

2011-05-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

Pre-school. I never think it's much of a big deal but then when I see these sweet little kids moving into the world I can't help but get a little teary eyed. Suddenly they advance into this world of school and outside influences that I have no control over.

Although...I don't worry too much about Dax. He's not one to be influenced or persuaded. In good ways or bad. He decides everything and that is the only option with him. His way. I am sure that's a good trait to have and I love that he's so independent of 'peer/parent' pressure.

Pre-school had him prepared for kindergarten and I am so happy with how much he's learned and his abilities. I am impressed and proud!

Graduation was also the day of his birthday...they indulged him! Precious!

Snaggle Tooth...

2011-05-26T17:20:00.000-07:00

every one has to go through it...

...it finally came out.

Kyron's Birthday

2011-05-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

Kyron's birthday and Easter coincided this year. It made for a VERY festive day with lots of commotion and excitement. I can hardly believe he's 3 already!

Easter Family

2011-05-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while we can get a few good shots. Navy only lasted a few minutes, Dax wanted to make every ugly face that he could and Adley wanted to be in every picture...you know, the typical experience when you're trying to get photos! Good times Easter afternoon!

Afterward

2011-05-26T10:57:00.000-07:00

I love these photos that my sister in law captured. I love the progressive candy chewing on Kyron. I laugh everytime I look through these. Such happy children!

Easter Egg Hunt

2011-05-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

The hunt is on!

So much fun with cousins for Easter! Seriously good times!

Rollin'

2011-05-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

3 months and 3 days and Navy rolled all the way over from back to front tonight. Twice in a row...it was no accident.

Reader's Theater

2011-05-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

We are so proud of Adley and all her hard work. She was proud too to show off her book and read for us at the reader's theater. I love how much she's grown and the amazing things she accomplishes.

True Colors

2011-05-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

Along with writing books...they are singers. I really love the humanities taught at this school...and especially this teacher. Adley has learned a lot about giving, helping and being true to yourself. This was such a fun presentation. Bless those that are helping raising my child and show her the beauty of this world and this life. Precious lessons.

I am a Slave

2011-05-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

Adley authored and illustrated a book. Then had a theatre presentation where she read it to an audience of parents and siblings eating popcorn and candy. It was so much fun. I didn't completely understand her book. But I asked her about it later...

I am a Slave By: Adley

Her name is Ashley. She is a slave. She has to work.

Ashley is a slave. She lives outside.

Ashely runs and runs and runs in the grass.

Ashley runs and runs and she was still with her family.

Until her family ran away. She cried and cried.

She got caught.

Whew, she got away.

She finds a home without anybody in it.

She lived in the house.

She was safe forever.

My name is Adley. My mom just had a baby.

Ashley has to work.

She had just learned about slaves and blacks fighting for their freedoms. She worries about it and thinks about how people should be treated. Suddenly this book has a lot more meaning. I love how thoughtful and charismatic this sweet girl is...such a tender heart. And such a great book maker!

Happy Mother's Day to Me

2011-05-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

I am on medication that limits my morning eating habits. We have early church on Sundays. Therefore no availability for breakfast in bed. But I still get royal treatment on Mother's Day at my house. Gifts...I always love. A nap, which is rare and no real responsibilities for the day. And lots of love from my family. But the best part....homemade gifts!
This day, for me, I love. I do believe it should come once a month at least!

*annoyingly blogger won't stop flipping this photo the wrong way*

No Fair

2011-05-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have been very sick.

Chal has been taking care of our family.

We are both exhausted.

But Chal said he would take care of Navy last night. I was so glad. It's so much harder when the milk provider tries to calm an upset child while he can smell so well! Not that it's always easy for Chal either. But he had done it all weekend and I was sure that with today being Monday he would not take the ring last night. But he did.

Adley peed in her bed and woke me up to help. I did.

Dax peed in his bed and woke me up to help. I did.

Navy slept all night long. Chal did too.

Blown Off His Feet

2011-05-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

We use a handy little government tool called flex spending. I am sure you have all heard of it. It’s a very delightful thing for my budget and I always seem to use it far before the end of the year. Too bad. Each year though, I get ‘audited’ where I have to prove to someone unknown to me that I am actually being honest and the charge was legitimate. It’s rather annoying. This year my amount ran out in February (did you know that having a baby is expensive?!).

So the auditing is underway already. And of course, the charge they chose is one I didn’t keep record of. This charge was actually done over the phone after math so I didn’t get a record at all. The great thing about it is that doctors always keep great records (at least their staff does anyway!)

This particular doctor was actually carrying a credit balance. So two birds with one stone…refund check and documentation to prove that I was not breaking the law. Off we went…me with all the kids. It’s rare that I embark on such a crazy adventure but it needed to happen, the weekend was upon us.

I strapped everyone in…no easy task to begin with. We stopped at the doctor’s office and luckily I got the first parking spot allowing me to leave them all in their seats while I bolted in to claim my prize. That was nice. But the following stop proved to be a little more adventurous. The bank!

The nearest bank to this doctor doesn’t have teller drive through. But I really love this branch…the people at the counter always remember me and they are wonderful! It’s probably all the kids I always bring that’s so memorable but I don’t care, it feels kind and genuine.

This branch also has a wall of magazines and cute little red chairs perfect for the kids to be entertained. Most visits it’s not a big deal because I am in and out so easily and no one is ever there. Today, because I had all four of them, it was different. More people and more complications. Since none of that is really the point of the story I’ll skip it but just know that we were there longer than I had planned or hoped for.

Luckily people were nice and the kids running around like wild geese didn’t seem to really bother anyone…which is nice because then I stay more calm. Thank you nice strangers at the bank.

Ok, so I was done and it was time to go. The kids were a little wound up…they had sat in the car for a while and needed a little exertion and the bank was it. So when I said, “Let’s go!”, they quickly darted for the exit door….you know double glass doors that swing out just like every other bank you’ve ever been too. Kyron got there first. He grabbed hold of that door with a death grip. He was determined to get out of that bank. (Which is a little surprising because they seemed to be having lots of fun with the patrons there.) He’s not that strong though…the doors are still big for him!

Well he was holding on and pushing for dear life when someone from outside comes up to the door, surely expecting the door to weigh a ton. That or he was furious. Because he yanked that door opened so hard that Kyron flew up about 18 inches off the ground and was slung a good three feet into the door swing. It was hilarious. I didn’t laugh yet. Kyron didn’t know it was coming and certainly that man didn’t know either.

That poor man was mortified. He obviously didn’t see that some little two and half foot kid was at the door. (I was still a good 20 feet from the door.) He looked at me like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Caught! I think he was also looking for me to ‘let him off the hook’ and reassure him all was fine. I didn’t. I just looked at him blankly. Not out of rudeness but out of shock. I did kindly say excuse us as we walked through the door he was now holding at his side.

Kyron was still looking at me to find out how to react. It startled him so badly. So when we got outside the bank…I totally busted up laughing…Adley and Dax cheering him on for his defiance of gravity. He was a superstar and he was eating it up! I love it when he’s the focus.

Kyron was air born with the swing of a door. He hasn’t stopped jumping since, showing how he flung through the doorway. He retold the story to Chal and it was even funnier….he made himself fall to the ground as he jumps through the fake doorway. And since you can only catch about a third of his words you just have to watch him demonstrate the ordeal. Oh my gosh! I still can’t stop laughing about it.

I know that this l.o.n.g. written story does not create any kind of visual compared to what I saw but I hope that when I read this again I will remember this tender moment and always laugh out loud each time I think of it. It was so very funny.

Easter Bunny Delivers

2011-05-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

One of these years I might make the easter bunny a big deal but it's doubtful. They each got a gift, a trinket toy and candy. They seemed thrilled! Good enough for me! It was a really fun morning though...

Who's In Control?

2011-05-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

Dax said this morning: "Mom, I am in control of everything and all the people in this house and if you don't do what I tell you then you'll get fired. Is that what you want mom, to get fired, because I will fire you?"

I would love to get fired some days...

Being a Mom

2011-05-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

I have thought a lot about being a mother lately, especially today. The kind of mother I am. The kind of mother I want to be. The kind of mother I am actually capable of. They kind of mother I expect myself to be. The kind of mother that no one realistically can be but I still think is achievable.

Adley mentioned that her teacher told her to surprise her mom on mother’s day. Adley’s rebuttal was that my mom doesn’t like to be woken up so I won’t do that for her. I’ll wait until she wakes up and then I’ll surprise her with it. Wow, she has finally caught on to my relentless need to sleep. I was pleased with that response. But inevitably I then start to think about how I should be more able to wake happily for my child and should not cause her to delay a surprise she’s been working on to get my sleep gratification. Will I ever be satisfied…with myself or with my children being willing to know my weaknesses and work with them. Will I always work against myself in finding cooperation and agreement?

I have never been a mother before. I have yet to know how to talk to a 7 year old as a mother and teach, love and rear perfectly. I have never been responsible for the welfare of so many before. I have never felt the weight of that burden before. I have never had 4 small children each with great needs of their own and known the best solutions to all of the days’ problems. I have had a new born before…4 of them. I have one now and while I know most of the tricks of the trade I still feel inexperienced in knowing him, and him personally. Kyron is 3, Adley and Dax once were three and still I don’t know how to manage a 3 year old like Kyron.

All this experience (if you can call 7 years experience) and I find that each is its own incident, requiring something very different from the previous. I might have read enough books to know how to get a baby to sleep through the night (I have been fairly successful at that) but nothing can force the child to have my desired sleeping habits. Navy will sleep ‘through the night’ but his night starts at 7 pm making his morning 4 am. Each has been different, very different.

Granted I could create some control and force onto these innocent children and in some cases I have. But they stretch me when I let them be themselves. When I allow for their own spirit to dictate their life, when I give them the opportunity to be unique and special…that’s when I learn how to be their mother. Not when I design their life and make decisions for them that they should be making themselves. I so badly don’t want to be that kind of mom. I want to be the mom that makes a request and gets results, immediately and perfectly. I want to be the mom that has everything under control and all the answers for all of the hardships and all the energy to make it seem effortless. I want to be the mom that has children that never talk back or disobey. I want to be the kind of mom that never struggles to know all the ins and outs of each of her children. I want to be the mom that finds all this easy and basic.

I don’t always get what I want though. And as I contemplate that, I realize how great it is that I don’t get what I want. My eyes have opened, my heart has changed, my mind enlightened. Heavenly Father has a ‘harder’ life designed for me. One that allows me to grow and stretch and truly learn principles in life that are hard to comprehend without such trials and learning curves…a life that will cause me to change and be humbled…that’s the life that creates a good mom. The life where I can be submitted to hard things and not come out perfectly but instead just better. This life brings me a lot of happiness…these children that allow me to have the name mother…brings me joy. This hardship of children, learning them and knowing them and providing all for them…brings contentment. I have found so much more pleasure in this charge as mother when I realize I learn far more from them when I listen to them than when I try to teach them.

This role of motherhood is by far the greatest self evolution I could ever experience and I am grateful that I have been blessed with the ability to continue ‘practicing’ being a mom. Or at least practicing the kind of mom I want to be!

I Thought I Hated the 80's

2011-04-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, so really I don't like the 80's fashion but when it's represented like this...it just might be a little more fun! The music of the 80's is still some of my favorite though. Anyway, my great friend threw a fabulous 80's party for her husband's birthday. It was such a fun time! I loved being there.

The costumes were outrageous and we laughed most of the night! I have the coolest friends. Chal and I used only things that we owned (I refused to spend any money on 80's clothes). We did a pretty good job I think.

I got this gag gift shirt from my sister for Christmas one year and I never thought I would wear it but didn't want to get rid of it. Thank goodness because it totally worked for this party. One sleeve is shorter than the other and one balloons out on the side. Totally appropriate for the 80's. And cut up some old Halloween leggings for leg warmers and gloves with a little toole around the waste with tons of jewelry and it was perfect! Chal was slick in his sear sucker attire...he's so handsome in everything he wears! The shades were a perfect addition to those flipped up collars and two tone shoes! He even won an award! He's so totally awesome!

These pictures still make me laugh...such a good night!

Our lovely hosts! The birthday boy!!!

I have no idea why I was sitting like that?!?!?

School Days

2011-04-20T20:55:00.000-07:00

I am truly feeling the tender mercies of Heavenly Father with Navy's new presence in our home. Four is hard. It's a challenging adjustment. There are so many needs to meet and only me trying to provide physically and emotionally for them all during this transition (until Chal comes home anyway...then I dump it all on him). Not to mention my own hormonal rages and pure exhaustion with a new baby. There are so many things to consider. All the kids are now acting out and I don't know how to interpret their new needs nor do I have much energy to be effective.

But knowing that this challenge was in my future, Heavenly Father allowed the stars to align in my favor. A random post on facebook (I rarely post anything on there) ran across the desk of the sweet lady that was in charge of getting Kyron an appointment to be evaluated for pre-school speech therapy help. Her seeing the post prompted her to schedule him early and he started pre-school February 15th with the bus coming to my door for pick up and drop off.

Dax is already in preschool and a wonderful new friend offered to drive Dax both ways for a few weeks. So many thougthtful people are in my life.

So that means 2 days a week for 3 hours it's just me and Navy. And the other days it's only Dax or only Kyron and it's opened opportunities for us to bond on so many different levels. I have great appreciation for that extra special time I am getting with each of my kids separately when with 4 it could be so much harder.

BUT, sending a 3 year old to pre-school on a big yellow bus has been strange, scary and uncertain. He can't even talk! How could I know if something went bad? I wouldn't. But I have come to really love the school bus drivers and feel good about the program helping Kyron progress in his speech and social skills so early.

Magic is in the Air

2011-04-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

Chal is really into magic. He has been since I have known him. In fact, I think on our first date we went to a magic shop and he bought a trick there. One I still enjoy watching. However, in the 8.5 years that we've been married, it's rare to see a magic trick. A certain card trick that I love he'll do from time to time as well as the coin in the ear kind of thing but that's about it.

Recently he has rekindled his love for the art of deception. He's tricky. He can pierce a balloon without popping it, he can change his shirt in seconds with just a quick shake, he can slice a rubber band through his hand, he can take a dollar, put it in an envelope, seal it and then cut open a lemon and it's inside the core of the lemon. a.m.a.z.i.n.g! He can take an empty, crushed soda can...and refill it and pour out fresh soda. He can take a card with 2 dots and miraculous change it to 8....the list goes on and on. Even if I know the 'trick' part I am still amazed every time I see them!

I love magic tricks and have enjoyed his newly rejuvenated love for it! What a fun hobby!

So for the ward Variety Show...he represented and did a fabulous job! So impressive! I only got a few really rotten photos...I was holding Navy and the lighting was terrible. But you can get the idea.

He takes a blank coloring book, adds color to the pages, then completely erases the pages and then adds the outlines back in. Sneaky!

This is the one where he sticks that needle through the balloon and it doesn't pop. Tricky!

Notice in the previous photo the shirt was a batman shirt! Magic!

Is Spanking Good?

2011-04-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

According to Dax it absolutely is good. In fact it’s the best.

Dax (completely randomly): Mom, spanking is the best thing for you do to us?

Me: No, it’s not Dax. That’s a sad thing and should never happen. It’s not nice.

Dax: Sure it is mom. You should spank us when we need to get in trouble.

Me: Sorry Dax I won’t be spanking you.

Dax (now he’s pleading with me): Yes mom. You should spank us and never ever send us to our room again.

Me (clued into the dilemma): Sorry Dax just make good choices and you won’t get sent to your room but we aren’t going to spank you.

Dax (exasperated): Yes, mom. Jesus wants you to spank us. He said so. He sent me down here to teach you that. So you need to listen. You need to spank us because Jesus said so.

I just laughed. I was not going to win this one…nor did I need to.

Delivery Day

2011-04-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday February 13th was a very long day. I was scheduled to start induction at 9 pm that night. In time to labor all night and expected to deliver by morning. That was the pattern with Dax at least. But each child is different. Exactly!

We finally got the day wasted away and managed to keep my nerves somewhat in check. We made it to the hospital. We went through all the normal procedures...paperwork, getting vitals, changing into that glamorous gown, feeling revealed to so many new people, needles being shoved into my arms, and finally the drugs. One drug to start labor since I was completely nowhere in progression. One drug to manage the pain. One drug to help me sleep through the pain...I do love the Cadillac style of delivery! Plus I had one on one nurse care the entire time...wonderful!!! I loved all my nurses too, that makes all the difference.

So we made it through the night and I woke up expecting to have a baby within an hour. Not the case this time. I had moved next to nothing. Maybe a 3 dilation, and certainly minimal effacement. We settled in for another long day. But with all those drugs I had next to no pain so it didn't matter to me too much. Plus that ambien made sleeping come really easy.

The doctor came to visit me. I love my doctor, despite his 'fun' bedside manners I really appreciate his knowledge and abilities. He visited a moment and went on his way to be back later in the afternoon. Not so, he was back in just minutes. He and the nurse came charging in the room with what I could tell was bad news. I have seen that face before, he was all serious. I needed blood. My blood levels were so low that the doctor felt I wouldn't live through delivery without them. And having known him for a long time I knew that I had better 'accept' this new diagnosis. I would not survive delivery, suddenly, obviously, I was scared.

So, I had 2 blood transfusions before delivery. I now have 3 needles prodding me. One in my back (I love epidurals), and one in each arm...fluids and blood. Man, this is not what I had planned on with this deliver.

Well the day was moving along with very little progression. I was dilated to a 3 and had been most of the day. Chal had been there all day. Remember this was Valentine's Day now and Adley had a school presentation that she had been working so hard on. We had decided that I would have the baby in the morning and Chal would be able to attend her school that afternoon. (Grandma was going for sure so lucky there was going to be representation no matter what). If I hadn't delivered he just wouldn't go. It was almost time for her presentation and the nurse and I both didn't expect anything to happen within an hour so I pressured Chal to go and support Adley. And just for the record...despite how it all went down, I am still glad he went.

While Chal was gone they needed to shift me for the epidural not to deliver all to one side. Already my left side was terribly numb so we didn't want to shift back over to that side. But in order not to completely kill the right side we needed to move me. So the nurse shifted me more upright on my side. It was way more comfortable than I had been laying so I was happy. Seriously, who is comfortable for contractions!

About 30-45 minutes later she had the thought to check me. I was crowning! Holy crap!!! Chal was gone and I was about to deliver this baby. He was definitely going to kill me...or at least never forgive me if he missed this delivery. The nurse immediately started shifted the bed with my feet higher than my head to avoid any gravitational pull and instructed me to get Chal back immediately and not to push. Come on, I was numb, like I was really going to be feeling the need to push!

Adley's school is in a dead zone for cell phones. I couldn't reach Chal or Gayle to get him back. I called the office, they transferred me to the room. There was a party in there, no one answered. I called the office again and asked them to help me. They started yelling through the halls to Chal for him to get back to the hospital immediately. He left running! Thank goodness. He broke a few traffic laws and I am sure put some people's lives' at risk but I was ok with that. He walked in the room at the same time as the doctor and Navy was here about 15 minutes later. Whew. He made it.

After delivery is a huge blur. I was in and out of consciousness. I thought at first that I was just sleepy but I kept feeling so strange. My mind was blurry and I couldn't tell what was going on around me and I could not stop 'fainting'. Just a little bit scary! They claim all that was because of the blood, and since I had 2 of them and still was having bad reactions I am certainly glad that I had those before hand. See how thorough they are!

Because of all the blood problems they couldn't take out my iv's or the epidural. That needle stayed in my back an extra 6+ hours until my platelet counts were high enough to clot again. They certainly didn't want me bleeding out at this point. (hopefully not at any point would be good) Needless to say I wasn't loving the second night. Although I had another great nurse who let me sleep 5 hours straight without trying to feed Navy! Bless her!

That day flew by with visits from a million people...the lactation specialist (she was wonderful!!!), the discharge clerk who had to come twice because of credit problems, the social security person, the ear testing person, the circumcision person, the housekeeping, the salesman for the hospital photos, the nurse came regularly...I am sure there are more I am forgetting. And wouldn't you know they all come when Chal had left to have breakfast. Boy I was way happy to get home and not have so many people harassing me.

We made it through. It was way more complicated than any other delivery for me but somehow this sweet little boy has been the most delightful. I am enjoying new life so much more with him than I have in the past. The crying isn't bothersome, I don't feel like I am failing as a mother each time he cries. I feel like I know what he wants when he needs it and that feels good too. While four has been hard to adjust to...being a mom for the 4th time is incredible. I like this new found confidence in mothering a newborn. I typically have really not liked newborns but Navy has completely changed my mind. When you know what to do with a newborn, it's blissful.

Navy is a miracle and wonderful blessing in our family, especially to me. He's pure sweetness. It's a physical and tangible reminder of Heavenly Father's love for each of us. I feel loved...appropriate for a Valentine's Day arrival!

My Grandpa

2011-04-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

This was posted in the newspaper this week:
Darrald Edmonds Lines, 93, of Snowflake died Sunday, April 10, 2011, at his home. He was born Feb. 9, 1918, in Lordsburg, NM.

He was raised on a farm in Virden, NM from the time he was 8. He attended school at Gila Valley College (EA) where he met Mary, and they were married May 27, 1941, in Mesa, Arizona Temple. He graduated from New Mexico Teacher's State College in Silver City, majoring in accounting.

He played the saxophone and Mary played the piano at Saturday night dances in Kirtland, NM. They raised their family in El Paso and later in Odessa, Texas. Darrald worked for several natural gas companies in Texas and then retired from Ladd Petroleum in Denver, CO and moved to Snowflake. He was involved in many community projects and received the Man of the Year award in 1993. He was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and in scouting.

Darrald is survived by his wife, Mary; five children: Naoma Staley, Janyth Chesser, Verla Klimoski, Kevin Allred and Lenes Lines; 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

A viewing was held April 13, in the Snowflake LDS Stake Center. Graveside services were Thursday, April 14, at Snowflake Cemetery.

Embarrassing Stress

2011-04-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

Lots has been going on around here lately. We had a wedding this last weekend...a mad 4 day trip to Utah. More details on that to come. Although I did forget my camera. Really, who does that? Oh yeah, I do...I have 4 kids now and no brain...somethings just have to give. But I am sad that that's what I forgot.

Anyway...the point. Last night we got home about 8 pm and had to start getting the kids ready for the week. Stressful, in and of itself! Just as I came in the house with Navy he puked all over me...even the burp rag couldn't clean this up, I mean this was serious business. His entire lunch was now on me, him and the floor. So I just took off my shirt, ran him under the sink water to rinse him and moved on. Never did get the floor cleaned up. (Note to self: don't eat off the floors tomorrow...or the next day either!)

I put very hyper kids in pajamas, tried to diaper Navy...he's screaming a crazy fit now. And then I turn around (remember that part where I got puked on and removed my shirt)...yep, I turned around to see my neighbor walking into my house unannounced with Dax in her arms. Dax had run out the door with no shoes on and she was concerned about his well being and wanted him to get inside the house. Wonderful, thoughtful neighbor...horribly embarrassed me! Luckily she didn't seem to mind and came on in. I ran to get a shirt and the night resumed with diapers and pajamas.

Seriously...no where is safe to be 'free'! *loud laughs*

Fooled

2011-04-01T20:38:00.001-07:00

All day long I've heard from very small people:

"Hey mom, there's a spider on your head."

I am so glad they are in bed now...and I can wait another year to have to hear that again and pretend I have been fooled! (not that I did that good of a job pretending though) *smiles*

Backfired Bribery

2011-03-31T11:09:00.000-07:00

*****Warning: lots of bathroom talk*****

I try to think that I am a clever person. I am smarter than the average 2, 4 or 6 year old. Frequently that cleverness is challenged and I recognize that I would probably loose in a battle of the wits against these kids. Thank goodness they love me as much as I love them and won't have to really worry about who wins.

So, my mother in law gave me the great idea of enlisting Dax to help potty train Kyron. We have been working on training Kyron for a few weeks now (it's a very slow process in my house...I do have a new baby folks!!!). Kyron's problem is that he won't tell me when he has to go. And being almost 3 and able he would just pee, go change his clothes and move on...and me being oblivious to it all would miss any chance to encourage.

The new plan consisted of having Dax demonstrate what it would be like to announce your peeing adventures and then get rewarded with candy. Then Kyron would see it and mimic. He is our little copy cat right now. Seems like a shoe in idea for the transition.

Our candy of choice...skittles, 2 skittles for peeing and telling me about it. Brilliance, right!?!?

Now, every 5 minutes I hear from Dax "Mommy, I am peeing", literally this kid would pee a constant stream if it meant candy. Kyron on the other hand, could care less. Candy? What's that? I am still going to pee in the corner and not tell you about it. (thus the switch to pull ups rather than real undies!)

New rules had to be instated...

First rule: only candy with a real pee not 'drops of pee'.
Second rule: poop gets you one extra skittle
Third rule: every 30 minutes, only then do you have the opportunity to get candy (this rule started this line of questioning "Mom is it time I can get candy yet."

Adley then wanted to join, I mean really if you're potty trained and you get candy for it...why not!?! So now Adley comes home and counts all the times she's peed in the day and how many totally candies she has "earned".

When we first started this candy endeavour I sent Chal to the store and told him to get the big bag of skittles. I was thinking about the bag that equates to about 4-5 little bags but Chal thinks bigger! He found a 41 ounce bag of skittles and I am sure we will never end this "candy for peeing" bribery mistake!

Despite the fact that potty training Kyron turned into over feeding Dax sugar, I must say yesterday was a perfect pee day for Kyron! No accidents! wahoo!

Now on to pooping in the potty rather than on the floor (yea, my carpet hides poop well, until you step in it...yes, this is my lot in life right now)

Happy Day! May you all earn your own skittles today!

Six Weeks

2011-03-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

For the growth chart...ok, technically 5 weeks and 5 days! But when they have a bath and smell so very good you can't help but take photos!

Dax-isms

2011-03-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a day of bests...

Dax: (as we're walking by the refrigerator with cousin's valentine pictures) Mom, I love cousins the best.
Me: (with a jealous tinge) I thought you loved me the best.
D: I do love you the best but I love cousins the best bestest. And I love grandma the very very most.
Me: (deflated) Yes, I love all of them too!

Dax: (while Navy is whaling just after I finished feeding him) Mom, you need to feed Navy again because your ra's (translation: my breast converted to bra's then shortened to ra's) are the best pacifiers.

Am I tired?

2011-03-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

So this morning I was getting in the shower and thought something seemed amiss. I assumed it was just the fact that I bathed the boys first instead of after my shower like I normally do.
But then I realized it had nothing to do with timing....I was still dressed. I am so tired I literally missed the fact that I was dressed before getting into the shower. Seriously...*laughs*